House of Strangers (1949)

It is a performances centric movie

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Blistering performances.

Despite its other defects, at least the costumes in "Hearts in Bondage" were much as we might expect people to wear in the period. The same cannot be said for the clothes worn by Susan Hayward, Debra Paget, Richard Conte and company in "House of Strangers" (1949). It comes as quite a shock halfway through the film to realize a gin mill is actually a speakeasy and that the film is actually set in 1932. You'd never know it from the 1949 wardrobes that are on display throughout the movie's entire running time from 1932 to 1939! Aside from this numbing anachronism, this is a solidly atmospheric noir with Richard Conte in one of his most dramatic and well-rounded roles, and receiving great support from gowned-to-the-hilt Susan Hayward, vitriolic Edward G. Robinson, sleazy Luther Adler and dumb-head, Paul Valentine. Stylishly directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz (who has also supplied some neat ripostes and additional dialogue), this film has worn well. In fact it seemed more engrossing on Fox's 10/10 DVD than my recollection of its quality when I saw it on original release.

***SPOILERS*** By far the most interesting character in the movie about a dysfunctional New York Italian family is older brother Joe Monetti played by Luther Adler who's role was later resurrected some 20 years later in the "Godfather" movies one & two as dark sheep of the Corleone family Fredo Corleone. It's Fredo as the older brother who didn't get respect and was treated like a dummy more or less like Joe was treated by his dad neighbor banker father Gino Monetti, Edward G. "Eddy" Robinson. Then there's also Richard Conte, who was also in the "Godfather", as the smart and pragmatic Max Monetti who like Al Pacino in the "Godfather" movies was the smartest of the Monetti brothers as well had an non Italian girlfriend- Like Al Pacino's Kay Adams in the "Godfather" movies- the Waspy all American girl Irene Bennett, Susan Hayworth, that he threw his Italian hand picked by the family fiancée the much younger and far more prettier Maria Domenico, Debra Paget, under the bus for.It's when Papa Monetti is indited for a number of criminal counts of illegals bank practices it' s Max who sticks his neck out to get him to beat the rap by trying to bribe a number of jurors that, by reporting him to the D.A';s office, backfires on him. Ending up saving a seven year sentence behind bars when during that time his father Gino passed away Max who swore revenge against Joe, for setting him up, is out and ready to bury the hatched with him; As well as check out to San Francisco with his girlfriend Irene. It's now Joe the former lowly $65.00 a week bank teller now bank president who's the big man of the family who still has it in for brother Max and plans to have him murdered to make sure he won't cause him any more trouble in the future.***SPOILERS****Joe uses his two other brothers pretty boy Tony, Efrem Zimbalist Jr, who while Max was behind bars married his ex fiancée Maria as well the brain damaged from taking too may shots in the head in the boxing ring Pietro, Paul Valentine, to do Max in. The final showdown has Pietro beat, under orders from Joe, the living hell out of Max but soon come to his senses. That's when he realizes that what he's doing will not only put him behind bars for life if not in the electric chair but is disrespecting his dead father Gino whom Max took the rap for! Now turning against Joe and about to drop him off a 4th floor baloney Pietro finally realizes just how wrong as well as stupid he is and forgets the whole thing! In the end a battered but still alive and breathing Max rides off into the sunrise with Irene to start a new life with her in far off San Francisco and drop out of the crazy Monetti business ventures altogether!

This is one of Joe Mankiewicz' lesser known films (birthday today 11.2) and definitely among his best ones. Edward G. Robinson performs at his best as the Italian father of a banking family with four brothers embroiled with each other, as usual in Mankiewicz's films a brilliant dialogue mesmerize you all through, Susan Hayward also making a splendid performance. Richard Conte plays the one son who acts honourably, while all the others turn against him and betray their father out of necessity to survive – and let Conte pay for it. When he is freed from prison (which is where the film begins, and we know nothing yet of what has passed), the immediate meeting with his brothers creates the suspense which lasts and constantly grows tighter through the entire film, until the conflict is resolved in the end after many unexpected turns. All actors are at their best, while the lasting impression is made by Conte as a paragon of straight Sicilian nobility, Susan Hayward as a surprising woman of superior character, and above all Edward G. Robinson as the father, who although powerful and successful can't quite follow the new turns of his age. Although autocratic he never becomes unsympathetic, but you rather understand him and have to pity him - he is the tragedy, in a marvellously well-written film script (as all of Joe Mankiewicz' films are) perfectly handled by a masterful director and a set of actors together creating a virtuoso family performance.

Edward G Robinson (Gino Monetti) is head of a bank and a family of four sons, three of whom work for him, but none of whom are shown any respect by him. The only son he seems to value is Richard Conte who has his own legal practice, albeit with dodgy customers. One of his customers is Susan Hayward (Irene) who gets the love interest role.Robinson rules as a dictator. although he does have a funny scene where he compares the old world to the new world, and his business practices come under investigation. As a result of this, Conte tries to protect him but doesn't get very far. The majority of the film is told in flashback, on either side of which we follow Conte as he seeks out his mission of revenge to those who encouraged the downfall of his father.Keep a look out for the best plate of spaghetti ever filmed. Robinson presides over his family every Wednesday evening when they are required to attend a family meal. They take their places around the table, sit in silence and wait for everyone to arrive before they can start to eat while listening to Robinson's opera records at a volume of 3 million decibels. On this particular occasion, they wait for Conte to arrive. It's a strained atmosphere but definitely worth the wait when that pasta shows up.The film gets you involved in a family drama that throws in an un-anticipated end sequence that pushes the story to another level. It's an entertaining film that emphasizes dialogue and drama more than action. All the cast do well with a special mention to oldest brother Luther Adler (Joe). Not sure why Susan Hayward is billed above Richard Conte, though.